TABUK CITY, Kalinga – The city government claimed there is no local transmission of the dreaded Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the city since the implementation of the Luzonwide lockdown because of the preparedness done for the protection of the health and safety of the people.
City Administrator Noly Tenedero reported that the cases in the city are either locally stranded individuals (LSIs) or returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who are required to undergo quarantine while awaiting the results of their swab tests.
However, he pointed out that the LSIs and returning OFWs have always complied with the strict implementation of the community quarantine guidelines that is why confirmed cases are uncovered from time to time.
Tenedero claimed that under the city government’s regulations, LSIs and returning OFWs must undergo the prescribed triaging and for them to be temporarily quarantined in the holding area while awaiting for the results of their swab tests administered by city health authorities.
Tabuk City accounts for most of the COVID cases in Kalinga although most of them recovered because almost all of the cases are reportedly asymptomatic.
He added that the city government is putting up additional quarantine and isolation facilities to meet requirements in case there will a surge in the number of COVID cases in the city as there is a continuous influx of LSIs and returning OFWs from the different parts of the country and the world.
According to him, the city is taking all measures to address the issues and concerns on COVID response to protect the health and safety of the people in the city and prevent people from contracting and transmitting the virus.
Tenedero appealed to LSIs and returning OFWs, as well as their family members and relatives, to understand the main purpose of the city’s strict enforcement of the community quarantine guidelines to avoid surge in the cases that will significantly stress the limited health care system and overwhelm the frontliners.
He underscored that the COVID cases in the city are still manageable at present thus the people must sustain their observance of the rules and regulations so as not to compromise their present condition.
Tenedero emphasized that the prevailing community quarantine guidelines have heavily impacted on the city economy following the displacement of individuals from their jobs and livelihood since the Luzonwide lockdown last March.
He revealed that the leadership of Mayor Darwin C. Estrañero has effectively and efficiently handled the situation as shown by the limited number of confirmed COVID cases in the city over the past eight months as prompt actions had been taken to address the needs of suspected and probable cases. By HENT
